In four short years (1965–1969), the underground press grew from five small newspapers in as many cities in the U.S. to over 500 newspapers — with millions of readers — all over the world. Circumventing and subverting the establishment media by utilizing their own news service, and freely sharing content amongst each other, at its height the underground press became the unifying institution for the counterculture of the 1960s.

A generation set out to change the world. The underground press was there documenting, participating in, and providing the resources that would guarantee the growth of this emergent youth culture. Combining bold visuals, innovative layouts, and eschewing any pretense toward objectivity, the newspapers were wildly diverse and wonderfully vibrant. On The Ground focuses on the anecdotal detail that brings the history alive. Composed of stories told by the people involved with the production and distribution of the newspapers — John Sinclair, Art Kunkin, Paul Krassner, Emory Douglas, John Wilcock, Bill Ayers, Spain Rodriguez, Trina Robbins, Al Goldstein, Harvey Wasserman, and more — and featuring over 50 full-color scans taken from a broad range of newspapers — Basta Ya, Berkeley Barb, Chicago Seed, Helix, It Ain’t Me Babe, Los Angeles Free Press, San Francisco Express Times, Screw, The Black Panther, The East Village Other, The Realist, and many more — the book provides a true window into the spirit of the times, giving the reader a feeling for the energy “on the ground.”

Contributors will read, chat, and give us insight into what drove them to be part of the counterculture; followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by author Terry Bisson. Booksigning in the lounge follows, with books for sale courtesy of Borderlands Books.